17 goals with 169 targets can be quite overwhelming to meet for an organization or even a nation. But if we take one step at a time and work collectively, we can meet these goals.

While we act in our own little way, we should demand more from our governments. They need to prioritize the SDGs, put into place well researched policies and programs and ensure they are implemented.

There is no other way as if we don’t act now, we endanger our future. This is our hope for humanity.

Last September, I, together with other members of various civil society and non-government organizations and climate activists, was privileged to see the world premiere screening of “This Changes Everything”, a film adaptation of the same titled book by Naomi Klein. It is an epic attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change and poses the question, “What if confronting the climate crisis is the best chance we’ll ever get to build a better world?” Towards the end of the film, Klein said that those who are up there, drunk with greed and selfish desires in pursuit of the fraud ‘economic growth’, cannot be stopped unless they see a strong force of resistance from below—that’s us.

A similar idea was shared by Michelle Brown, a British academic and historian and a contributor for You’re History: How People Make a Difference, who said, “Once ordinary people become more socially and politically aware and active, it can become harder for their governments to be wantonly exploitative and corrupt – unless society becomes so cynical and blase about its politicians and their motives that it leaves them to get on with it without demanding better.”

I hope that cynicism won’t drown us, Filipinos. Instead, let hope arise and let our frustrations be converted into actions. We have much to offer and much to take care of, as we progress on several fronts.

Now we need to take the time to understand these SDGs and think of small ways on how we can contribute to the attainment of each goal. We must also try to think of innovative ways we can urge governments to implement the SDGs. It is through our actions, what is done at the grassroots level, that can bring about the achievements of the SDGs.

Be inspired by this video and join the people from all over the world to push for the #GlobalGoals.